a central reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when identifying a primary or key factor contributing to a situation or argument. Example: "A central reason for the project's success was the team's dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That process, they say, has been a central reason for the extraordinary sluggishness of the recovery.

The New York Times

King had cited the investigation as a central reason for backing out of the deal.

The New York Times

"A central reason for that can be summed up in one word: Iraq".

The New Yorker

In recent months, steep rises in oil prices have often been a central reason for the widening trade deficit.

The New York Times

A central reason for the return of big transactions is the mountain of cash on corporate balance sheets.

The New York Times

A central reason for the trend: the availability of newer, sexier and more powerful operating systems in the constitutional marketplace.

The New Yorker

The Russian case was not a central reason, Harvard officials say, but was illustrative of problems the institute raised.

The New York Times

In an interview, Professor Law identified a central reason for the trend: the availability of newer, sexier and more powerful operating systems in the constitutional marketplace.

The New York Times

Such killings are a central reason Iraqis turned against the American presence in their country, a situation that is now being repeated in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The move to automation, consistent across many industries, is a central reason that Chinese imports in the United States are becoming cheaper.

The New York Times

The construction boom is a central reason China passed the United States last year as the world's largest consumer of electricity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a central reason", ensure it clearly connects to the outcome or situation being explained to avoid ambiguity. For stronger impact, follow with specific details that illustrate the reason's importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a central reason" when the factor is merely one of many equally important factors. Ensure it truly is a primary driver, not just a contributing element, to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a principal cause or factor contributing to a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct construction used to highlight the importance of a particular reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central reason" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for identifying a primary cause or key factor contributing to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business-related domains. When using "a central reason", ensure it is genuinely the main contributing factor to maintain clarity and avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "a primary reason" or "a key factor" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase's frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and effectiveness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary reason

Focuses on the importance of the reason, similar to the original phrase, but uses "primary" instead of "central".

a key factor

Highlights the reason as a crucial element contributing to a particular outcome or situation.

the main cause

Emphasizes the causal relationship, identifying the reason as the principal factor leading to a specific result.

the principal factor

Similar to "the main cause", but uses "principal" to denote primary importance.

a major contributing factor

Highlights the significant role the reason plays in contributing to a particular outcome.

a critical element

Highlights the reason as vital and essential for something to happen or succeed.

the driving force

Suggests the reason is what propels or motivates a particular action or event.

the root cause

Identifies the fundamental reason at the origin of a problem or situation.

a significant determinant

Emphasizes the reason as a major factor influencing a specific outcome or decision.

a vital component

Highlights the reason as an essential and indispensable part of a larger whole.

FAQs

How can I use "a central reason" in a sentence?

Use "a central reason" to introduce a key factor that explains why something is happening. For example, "A central reason for the company's success was its innovative marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a central reason"?

You can use phrases like "a primary reason", "a key factor", or "the main cause" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a central reason" or "the central reason"?

Both are correct, but "a central reason" implies that there might be other reasons, while "the central reason" suggests it is the single most important reason.

What's the difference between "a central reason" and "one reason"?

"A central reason" indicates a primary or significant cause, whereas "one reason" simply acknowledges a factor without emphasizing its importance.